Idolize (Dark Storm Book 1) (20 page)

Chapter Eighteen

Declan left the makeup trailer and headed out to the shoot. He was a medieval huntsman chasing down a knight who had turned evil and was killing the locals. The wig and makeup took a while to get on, but the effect was brilliant. Jack’s makeup would take longer and he wasn’t due on set ’til later. The scenery around the location near a town called Cromwell, was stunning. The mountaintops were still covered in snow and the air had a chill in it as he redid the fight scene again below a rocky outcrop.

The work would keep his mind off of Cassi in the day even if he checked his phone every time he got back to the trailer. Still no news. He hoped sending the airline ticket had not ruined his chance.

He was getting a work out as he swung his sword again. The scene had been meticulously choreographed and he needed to get it right or he would be exhausted if they had to do more takes.

This time, as he brought his sword down for the final blow, something landed on his head. Declan turned to look back up at the rock face. Rocks were falling as the ground beneath him rumbled and lifted. Declan turned to run, but a large slab of rock hit his leg, trapping him. More rocks came down as people scattered in all directions. He put up his arms as more rocks fell toward his head.

Jack was there next to him.

“Stay with me, bro.”

Declan wanted to, but the pain from his head and leg was overwhelming. As the world around him started to fade, he had only one regret if he was dying. He should have spent the time he had with Cassi.

Chapter Nineteen

Cassi jumped up with a start, her heart pounding. Something was wrong. Her gut was turning over, and it wasn’t the effects of the booze. She jumped out of bed and headed to Tommy’s room. He was fast asleep, and she couldn’t smell smoke or anything. What the hell was that about? She felt sick to her stomach. Was it the flashbacks, or part of the recovery? She went to the kitchen to make a hot chocolate. Her hands kept shaking and she could hardly hold the mug. It was almost six in the morning and she wasn’t going to get back to sleep anyway, so she might as well do some work on their orders. She would check her emails and see if there were any more bookings.

When she went to Facebook, she found herself going to Declan’s page. It was silly to punish herself, but she couldn’t help it. The page opened and she dropped her mug, spilling the hot chocolate on her pajamas.

“Shit,” she yelled and ran into the bathroom. Pulling her clothes off, she jumped in the shower, letting the cold water flow over her burning skin. All she could picture was Declan under a pile of rubble. She needed to get back to the computer, but common sense said she needed to cool her skin or she would blister. Sasha was at the door.

“What the hell’s going on? I heard you scream and you’re in the shower in your undies. Is that water cold?”

“I spilled my hot drink on me, but that doesn’t matter. I’ll be fine. The redness is going away.” She climbed out of the shower and grabbed a towel. “There’s been an earthquake in New Zealand.”

“What the fuck? What about Declan?”

“I was on his Facebook page. There were all these messages from people saying they hoped he’s okay. I’ll grab some clothes. Go and check and see if you can find out anything else.”

Sasha was sitting at the computer trying to search online for any information she could. Cassi grabbed a cold pack from the freezer, wrapped it in a towel, and placed it on her thigh.

“It confirms he’s been hurt, and is in the hospital. It seems the epicenter was near where they were filming on the South Island.”

Cassi’s stomach turned and she was glad she hadn’t drank any of the hot chocolate, because she was sure she would bring it up.

“I woke up and felt sick as though something was wrong. I thought it was me, just being crazy again with everything going on. I came online and now I feel like I’m going to pass out. This can’t be happening.” Cassi sat down on the couch before her legs gave out.

“I’ll put the kettle on.”

“All this time I was wondering if I should try again. I had this thing in my head, I didn’t deserve happiness, and then last night I thought what the hell, I’ll try. Then when Tristin said Declan had someone new, I thought I’d blown it. Now with the thought that I might never see him again, I know I love him no matter what.”

“You should go and see him. You said he sent you a ticket you had hidden away.”

“He has someone new. What would we do? Sit on either side of the bed, holding a hand each? I’d only be in the way.”

“It doesn’t matter. You would be going there as a friend who cares about him, even if you can’t be together. You can’t let it finish like this.”

It was true. Cassi didn’t care. She wanted him to be happy, and if that meant him being with someone else, then so be it. She just wanted him to be alive.

“We need to find out more. Have you tried ringing him?” Sasha said.

Cassi phoned his number, but it didn’t answer.

“Try Jack. It said he wasn’t hurt badly. Then we can try James or his agent, Sally.”

“It’s ringing. Please, dear God, pick it up,” Cassi said.

A part of her wanted to know what was happening, but she also couldn’t stand the thought Declan might be dying. At this point she only knew Jack wasn’t hurt too badly. Jack answered.

“Jack. It’s Cassi. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I’m at the hospital in ER. I just broke my arm.”

Hearing his voice was one of the best moments of her life. “How’s Declan? I read he’s been hurt.” She tried to be calm and keep the panic out of her voice, but she wasn’t succeeding. Her hand shook so much she thought she would drop the phone.

“They took him to the operating room. His ankle was busted up and he bumped his head. I’m sorry, Cassi. I don’t know any more.”

Cassi took a deep breath and said what she needed to before she wimped out. “I want to see him, Jack, but I don’t want to be in the way. I know he has someone new now.”

“That’s all bullshit. The papers made it up. You come here and see him, and if he says he doesn’t want to see you, I’ll hurt him some more until he changes his mind. I have to go. The doctor’s coming back. Let me know when you get here.”

The phone went dead. Cassi took a deep breath and tried to think clearly. She was going to do this. Her life had been crap and she was going to grab onto any chance of happiness she could. Then a small voice broke into her thoughts.

“Mommy. I’m hungry.” Tommy was rubbing his eyes as he walked across the room.

Cassi picked her him up and gave him a hug. At this moment, she was grateful for everything in life. Her beautiful little boy and the fact Declan was still alive, and she just might have another chance.

“I think we should make pancakes. What do you think?” Sasha said.

“Yeah, pancakes.”

Within half an hour, there was flour all over the counter, plus on Tommy’s face. As they sat down to eat, Sasha gave her the look with a raised eyebrow and indicated with her head toward Tommy.

“Tommy. I need to take a trip to see Declan. He has been in an accident. Sasha will look after you and I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

Cassi held her breath waiting for his response. He coped when she was sick, but she didn’t want to upset him again.

“Can I have pancakes when you’re away?”

“Yes, you can, but you have to always help clean up,” Sasha said.

“I should give you one of my toys. He gave me one when I was hurt.”

Cassi didn’t think she could love her little boy any more than she did at that moment.

Chapter Twenty

Five hours later, the taxi stopped outside the airport and Cassi got out excited but nervous. No one was with her at the airport, which was what she wanted, even though her friends had offered. There was no way she could cope with goodbyes right now. She grabbed her suitcase, paid the driver, and walked in. Her mouth went dry at the thought of doing the long journey. She was going to the other side of the world. At least she had a passport from her one trip to Canada.

She clutched the ticket she’d rescued from the bottom drawer in her hand. There were so many people about, and the place was huge. It was overwhelming and she didn’t have a clue where to go. There was a sign for departures, so she would start there. Eventually she found the Air New Zealand section where people were lining up.

She noticed there were about a hundred people waiting in the economy line, but only three in the business class line. She felt like she should apologize to the economy travelers while she stood there with her old suitcase. It was stupid. She had a ticket like the rest of them. They had paid for theirs, though, and Declan didn’t even know she was coming. On the plane, there was a glass of champagne with a strawberry in it on the armrest of her seat. A young boy walking down the aisle behind her said, “Mum. Is this first class?”

A part of her wanted to follow him. What the hell was she doing here? Jack said he wanted her there, but Declan was hurt. He couldn’t say anything and might not agree. She could be making a fool of herself. The champagne and the strawberry were gone before they took off. Once the plane was in the air, her heartbeat started to slow a bit. Some of the people in fancy suits changed into sweats and were relaxing. All she could think about was that Declan would be in pain. He was alive and everything else could be sorted out. She decided if all went well, she was going to ask him to marry her. How crazy was that? The worst he could say was no. At least she would know where she stood and could move on.

Thirteen hours later—she’d slept, thanks to the wine—her nerves were kicking back in again. She landed in Auckland on the North Island, but since the filming was outside of Christchurch on the South Island, she needed to get a connecting flight. She tried calling and texting Jack, but there was no answer. There was a storm raging outside so maybe that was the cause.

The flight to Christchurch was rough with turbulence, and she wanted to kiss the ground when they actually landed. She wondered if there might be another earthquake and if the airport was safe. The air steward said the airport had only been closed for half a day and it wasn’t near the epicenter. She grabbed her suitcase and booked into the airport hotel. At this rate, her credit card was going to be empty pretty soon. She dumped her luggage in the room, went to reception, and ordered a taxi to take her to the hospital. There was no point in delaying now that she had come this far.

As she sat in the back of the car, she sent a text to Jack, telling him she would be there soon. He still hadn’t replied by the time she pulled up at the hospital. She tried to call, but there was still no luck. Cassi started to lose her confidence as she bit her bottom lip. What if Declan didn’t want her, and was angry that she told him to go? What if she freaked out when she touched him again? She would go mad with the ‘what if’s.

There was a group of reporters outside the hospital entrance and she hoped none of them would recognize her. She didn’t want to deal with them right now. She didn’t need to worry because they were more interested in a limousine as it pulled up and Kirsten got out. With Kirsten inside, she would have to run the gauntlet. She made her way around the photographers as they chatted, hoping no one would notice.

“Cassi,” a voice yelled.

Damn, someone saw her. As the cameras clicked away, she got through the doors of the hospital. There was a security guard inside. He raised an eyebrow as he looked her up and down as if she was something the dog dragged in. Kirsten was nowhere to be seen as people wandered around.

The receptionist looked up as though seeing a mere mortal instead of a movie star disappointed her. She smiled one minute, and then it was gone the next.

“I was wondering if you could tell me which ward Declan Reed is on?” Cassi asked, thankful the security guard was keeping the rabble outside.

“I can’t disclose that information to members of the public. Only close friends and relatives are allowed to visit.”

“I am a close friend. I’ve come all the way from L.A. to see him. His brother knows I’m coming.”

The woman curled up her lip in disbelief.

“My name is Cassi Yarwood. You can look me up on the Internet if you don’t believe it. Or go and ask the photographers outside.”

She hadn’t come all this way to be thwarted at the last moment, but could see the woman was just trying to do her job.

“I don’t have time to look up everyone who comes in here saying that they know these stars.”

The woman’s phone went and she answered it.

Cassi decided to give Jack another call. It rang, but still no answer. She went and sat opposite while the woman continued to answer her phone in between giving her disgusted looks over the top of her glasses. Cassi had a couple of choices. To look herself up online and prove to the woman she knew Declan, or she could go outside and let the paparazzi verify they knew her. The trouble was, she didn’t think the security guy would let her back in, and she didn’t want to be stuck out there with that rabble.

The door opened again and a gray-haired man who looked in his fifties walked in. The lift across the corridor opened, and Jack walked out. Cassi had never been so happy to see anyone in her whole life. Her heart skipped a beat that she might see Declan soon.

“Jack,” she shouted as she jumped up.

The gray-haired man looked at her as she came across. Jack’s arm was in plaster with a sling on it, but the smile on his face calmed her. He hugged her with his one good arm.

“Jack, they wouldn’t let me up to see him. I tried to call and text you, but there was no answer. The woman at reception thought I was just another crazy fan.”

“It’s okay. Cassi, this is our dad, Robert. Dad, this is the girl Dec’s crazy about.”

Those words sounded more than wonderful and she hoped they were still true. Robert shook her hand and gave her the onceover. She didn’t care if he approved or not. She was going to see Declan.

“Hello, Cassi. I’ve heard quite a bit about you. I’m sure your presence will help with his recovery.”

She hoped so, too, and that it wouldn’t cause more stress. They walked over to the lift and Cassi glanced back to see the woman at reception staring after them with her mouth hanging open. Cassi turned to Jack.

“I saw Kirsten going up earlier. I won’t be in the way, will I? I don’t want to cause a fuss if she’s with him.”

“She’s not here for Declan. One of the producers got hurt, too, and they’re together. Like I said, the papers make crap up. She was just being a friend because you two weren’t together. Nothing happened.”

Cassi’s whole body relaxed. Then the lift doors opened and the antiseptic smell of the hospital ward hit her. She wanted to see Declan more than anything, but now she wondered how he was going to be. It didn’t matter as long as he was alive. He had been there for her when she needed him, and now it was her turn to return the favor. Her hand went to the necklace and she twiddled the pendant.

“Our mum is in with him at the moment, and he’s only allowed two visitors at a time. If Dad goes in first, I’ll tell you what to expect.”

Robert went off with one of the nurses and Jack took her to a visitor’s room.

“His leg was broken, but they’ve fixed that up. Then he started to get worse and go unconscious. They did a scan and operated on his head to get rid of a blood clot. Now they’ve kept him sedated like in an induced coma until the swelling goes down. He looks pretty rough, but they reckon he’ll be fine as he was treated so quickly.”

“Does he know I’m here?” she said and twisted her hands together.

“I told him you were on your way, but he’s out of it.”

“Let’s get this done. The longer we wait, the more nervous I’m going to be. By the way, what do your parents think of me?”

“They can’t believe Declan’s found someone who’ll put up with him. They’ll be fine. They haven’t talked to each other for years and this has brought them together. Can’t see them kissing and making up though.”

They walked back out and down the corridor to Declan’s cubicle. Jack went in and Robert came out, followed by a well-dressed, middle-aged lady.

“Cassi. This is our mum, Vivian.”

Vivian smiled and embraced her. Cassi’s eyes watered at the acceptance.

“Thank you for coming. I know it will help him recover. You go and spend some time with him and we can catch up later.”

Cassi opened the curtains and gasped. Declan’s face was bruised and grazed, and his right eye was swollen and black. There were tubes in his mouth breathing for him. His head was bandaged and there was an IV in his arm. His right leg was strapped up and a tube was draining blood from the wound. There was another tube draining away his urine. There were monitors beeping and it all seemed so loud. There was a male nurse next to the bed, injecting something into the drip. Cassi hesitated, but the nurse motioned for her to come over. She walked across and sat down. Her hand shook as she took Declan’s hand in hers.

“Declan. I’m here.”

There wasn’t a response, but she didn’t care. She would wait and he would be fine. She needed to believe they would get another chance. Eight hours went past as nurses came and went and the family would come and go. She went to the toilet once, but didn’t want to leave.

“I’m going to get a coffee. Do you want anything?” Jack asked.

“That would be lovely.”

Vivian came back with the coffee.

“Robert and Jack will come in for a while. How about we have a little chat?”

They went to the visitor’s room. Cassi sat down and let out a sigh. She didn’t realize she was so tense. Vivian sat down next to her.

“As a mother, it’s obvious to me you care for my boy. Jack told me what happened, and I hope it goes well when he wakes up. Maybe a knock on the head will mean he’ll come and visit his mother more.”

Cassi laughed. “Thank you, Vivian. I don’t know how it’s going to go when he comes around, but if we are together, then I’ll nag him.”

Vivien frowned as she peered at her. “You’re not sure he’ll want you. After the way I’ve seen you stay by his side, he would be a fool not to.”

“It wasn’t good the last time we saw each other. I told him to go. Worse than that, I totally rejected him, and he had done nothing to deserve it. If he’d hurt me like that, I don’t know how I’d be.”

“You’re here now, and that’s the past. Now tell me about this little boy of yours and for goodness sake, call me Viv.”

They talked about Tommy and finished their drinks, but Cassi wanted to get back to Declan, even though she was tired. When they got back, the doctors were visiting and Cassi stood at the end of the bed with the others and listened. Viv took her hand and squeezed as the doctor started to speak.

“We are pleased with the progress Declan is making, and think we will let him come out of the induced coma tomorrow. I think the best thing is you all get some rest tonight.”

Cassi didn’t want to leave, but her body was failing after the long flight. She yawned and everyone looked at her, then they laughed.

Jack was the first to speak. “I think we should all get a decent meal and a good night’s sleep and we will be better to help Declan tomorrow. Where are you staying, Cassi?”

“At the airport hotel.”

“I think we all need to be together, so we’ll get you booked in with us. It’ll keep the paparazzi at bay, too, now they know you’re here.”

Jack went back to her hotel with her where there was already paparazzi waiting. Jack stayed by her side as they made their way to the taxi with flashes going off. Later that night, she settled into a huge bed in a five-star hotel. There was one thing missing and it was the man at the hospital. All she could picture was him there with tubes and bandages. She needed to believe she would get another chance. She thought back to the first day they met. She had built up defenses, and right from the beginning, Declan had treated her right and made her trust again. It couldn’t end now. Finally, the jet lag and the time in the hospital caught up with her, and she fell asleep.

****

Back at the hospital, refreshed and showered, they waited in the visitor’s room while the doctors took Declan off the breathing machine. She thought she would break Jack’s fingers, she was holding his hand so tight. The doctor came into the room and was smiling. That meant it was good news, right?

“He is breathing on his own and his vital signs are good. If you would like to go in now?”

Declan looked more peaceful now without the tube in his throat, but there was still no reaction when she took his hand in hers. They took turns over the next six hours, spending time talking to him. Cassi sat down and took Declan’s hand in hers again. They were alone for a bit and she needed to say something.

“I don’t know if you can hear me. I just want you to know I want to spend the rest of my life with you if you’ll have me. I don’t care if it’s for a week or years, I just know I want to be with you. Like the pendant says. You have my heart.”